We do not like to be humbled. But being humble is
the very character of God, of the god who chooses to be human, the human god
Jesus who is revealed to the world on the cross, in public humiliation. Only
those who are humble are able to participate in the life of God, a life that
defies death. This is freedom.
The ancient Greeks saw the seemingly insatiable
appetite of pride as hubris, a transgression against the gods, that
brought upon mortals nemesis, the punishment of the gods. But to be
humbled, delivered from our appetite for recognition, for being fêted by all,
is not a punishment. It is the gift of God.
Jesus did not die on the cross to satisfy the
wounded pride of God, but to (more than) satisfy the wounding pride of people,
and of the satan, the prideful angel who is unable to embrace humility, who
rebels against the humble God. And to all those who have been wounded by pride,
their own or that of other people, the risen Jesus holds out life, healing,
freedom, joy. Says, walk with me. Walk humbly with your God.
May your day, and mine, be unremarkable.
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